Nightmare Series - 10

Nightmare Series – 10

Celebration.

The bar was hoping until 1:00 am when only two participants were left. One was a talent struggling to survive and now on fire and the other a young talent proving himself at last.

“Nick...welcome to my dream!”

Nick smiled and sat at David's table. The two clicked glasses and sipped up atmosphere. It was a ballroom with white walls and a black and white checkered floor with a grand piano resting in the center of the room.

“To Nick Green.”

Nick sat down wearing a tuxedo and said, “To Big Papi! Surely the best of times!”

David nodded, sipped his drink and placed it down on the tablecloth.

“How...did we get in the same nightmare?” asked Nick.

“Hey, I'm not the writer here, “shrugged David. “But I tell you, it feels good to be out of my slump...and you...man the plays and hits you are doing...I'm liking it!”

Nick sighed.

“It's been hard all right but I tell you, I'm proud of what I've done. It feels good. Long time coming...right David! “

David sighed and understood the message Nick was passing on to him.

“Don't mind me...just warming up!”

Nick looked over and saw Ray Charles strumming the keys. He started playing the melody to Georgia. He looked over at them both and smiled.

“Got a preference?”

David tipped his glass and said, “Wonderful World.”

Ray laughed and said, “sappy David...don't make me gag!”

David laughed and said, “Ray...you know you're not so nice since you can see!”

Ray laughed and said, “hey...I've put up with over a month of David crybaby Ortiz!”

The two exchanged nods as both burst out in laugher.

“You know David...for a while...I just felt like a fool out there. I didn't think I'd make it. This game will take it out of you.”

Nick sighed and the mood in the room went darker.

“Hey, “said David. “I know that feeling too damn well. No place like Boston though...they love you here and I'm proud of you as the fans are!”

Nick sighed and said, “well...I think the Sox and Nick Green are gonna be OK!”
The two paused and looked over at Ray Charles. They both said, “hey...no Stevie Wonder OK!”

“So how's your new girlfriend...you know the one you met at the hotel.”

Nick sighed and said, “to be honest, I don't know. I've been spending all my time batting and fielding. Not much time for anything else you know...”

David leaned in and said, “worth it wasn't it!”

Nick smiled and said with the grin of a child, “oh ya!”
Nick leaned in and said, “I hear Judy Garland comes in on Thursday nights!”
David leaned back and shrugged but Nick sensed it was a ruse.

“I love Judy!” smiled Nick almost making a demand. “I mean...it's your dream and all but come on!”

David snapped his fingers and Frank Sinatra and Judy came on stage.

“Who don't you know David?” said Nick with elation.

“Hey, 'said David. “why don't you dance?”

Nick sighed and said, “with Judy...oh man...that would be cool!”

Nick walked over and immediately found himself entranced by the master of popular music finding the entire dance floor his stage. Frank Sinatra sang “Come Fly with me”

“Kids, “laughed Jackie Robinson who sat next to David.

“Tell me about it. “

Jackie gave David a warm hug.

“Welcome back David. I'm so proud of you!”
The tear shed from Jackie was real. David felt that warmth.

“Well...coming from you Jackie...that means everything!”
David wiped his eyes.

“Keep the cause going David. Show everyone what David is made of!”
David nodded.

“David...she's awesome, “said Nick interjecting. “Hey is that Jackie Robinson!”

David laughed and said, “the one and only!”

Nick seemed to gesture towards the table but Judie moved him away.

“Wow...a convention in here!'

David laughed and said, “Christopher...glad to have you here!”

Christopher Reeves sat down at the table.

“David, it's so damn great to see you hit.”
Chris sat down looking somber.

“Hey...they'll find a cure. “

Chris leaned back and said, “oh...I miss my kids. I really do!”

David nodded and said, “I'm sorry Christopher. I really am!”

“David, “ said Nick. “I'll see you later. Judy and I have some business to discuss...ah...I'm in love!”
David laughed as did Christopher and Jackie.

Jackie said, “all these people at one place. It's something I never grow tired of. It's a great feeling.”
The next man who walked in the room got such stares and adulation and simple awe. He was regal and proud and sat down at the table.

“Mind if I join you?”
Everyone nodded in enthusiastic approval.

“I love music.”
David tapped the fingers on the table.

“David, “said the man. “Relax...I'm just like you...I don't give up!”

David sighed in relief and said, “thank you Dr. King.”

Dr. King leaned forward and said, “no...thank you. All of us stand proud of a man who shows the world what people can achieve with the swing of a bat instead of the smear of the tongue. Well done David. ”

David nodded and felt the sweat fall from his face.

“I'm just doing my job.”

Dr King tapped the table and said, “David...will you stop looking at me like that! Jackie Robinson is bad enough!”

Jackie laughed and said, “guilty as charged!”

Christopher Reeves said, “I think...I would like to hear the Superman theme...”

“You always say that, 'groaned Jackie and Martin.

Meanwhile Nick Green, now in shorts and nothing else ran up to the table.

“David...she's wild man...I don't know...!”
Nick then paused looking at a variety of smirks and giggles that were barely kept in place.

“What?”

Nick looked at his chest to see painted in lipstick “Greenie Boy!”

Nick, who turned seven shades of red bowed out as the entire crowd burst into laughter.

“Ha Ha Ha, “snapped Nick. “Really fun!”

David leaned back and said, “well...I gotta go. Phillies tomorrow!'
David got up and waved to everyone. They all waved back as the Superman theme came blasting through the place amidst groans.

David turned over and let his eyes adjust to the light.

“Oh...man...that was cool!”

A knock came on the door. David threw on a bathrobe and answered.

“Nick...you OK?”
Nick nodded and said, “I think I just made love to Judy Garland!”

David held back a laugh and said, “it's the stuff that dreams are made of!”

Nick stood perplexed but understand David's need to be alone. David closed the door and got out the IPOD. He turned the dial and played the theme to Superman.